Naomi arrived at the agency's sleek high-rise just before eight, her reflection warping across mirrored glass doors. She held her chin high, but her skin still hummed from Luca's touch—an ache in her hips, a blush that refused to cool.
Everything had changed, but no one could know.
Her desk was as she'd left it. Her email inbox, not so much.
One subject line cut through the clutter: Meeting request – HR/Compliance Review.
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Boardroom B.
Participants: Naomi Hart, Director Alessi.
Her blood turned to ice.
She forced herself not to look toward his office.
Thirty minutes later, Naomi sat across from a stiff-faced woman in corporate black, a company lawyer to her left. Luca wasn't there.
"This is a routine conversation," the HR rep lied with a smile too smooth. "We've received reports about potential boundary concerns between interns and senior staff."
Naomi's voice held. "Reports from whom?"
"We can't disclose that. But I'd advise full honesty, Naomi."
Naomi's breath hitched. Not fear. Not shame. But fury. Someone had seen them. Someone had told.
She kept her tone even. "I work hard. I've earned everything here. Whatever rumors are spreading—"
"Are under investigation," the lawyer said flatly. "We're not making accusations. Yet."
They released her with a warning and a promise: discretion would be appreciated.
Back at her desk, her fingers trembled too hard to type. She didn't look up when someone stepped into her cubicle.
"Naomi." Luca's voice, quiet. Low.
She finally met his eyes.
"Not here," she whispered. "Not now."
But he didn't leave. He crouched beside her desk like a man breaking his own rules just to be close.
"I didn't say anything," he said. "You have to believe me."
"I do." Her voice cracked. "But someone did."
His jaw worked. Rage and regret warred in his expression. "Meet me tonight. My place. We need to talk."
She nodded once, barely.
As he walked away, Naomi felt the eyes. Colleagues who used to smile, now whispering. Speculating.
This was no longer just secret desire. This was danger.